Raspberry Stitch: a Fun, Easy Way to Excite Your Knitting

Try giving your knitting a boost with the raspberry stitch

Many knitters can have a lot of fun with knitting with just garter stitch (knitting every row) or stockinette stitch (knitting one row, then purling the next row). However, what if you’re not one of those “many knitters”?

I confess that I myself am not. Unless I have a lot of distraction–a really engrossing television show or podcast or audiobook, for instance–I cannot maintain the patience that garter or stockinette stitch requires. That is why, especially when I knit squares to join together for a blanket, I seek out more unusual stitches.

The raspberry stitch is my newest discovery, and it is utterly delightful!

True to the term, this stitch creates rows of little bumps that make it appear similar to the surface of a raspberry. You can make it a “true” raspberry stitch by using a berry-like shade of yarn. Or, you can use any color you wish.

In fact, you can see in the following square photos, I have used it to create stripes of little raspberry bumps. And I’ve had an absolute blast doing so.

As you can see, the raspberry stitch pattern looks wonderful in squares. You can also easily use it for scarves, headbands, hats, and dishcloths or washcloths.

Ready to learn how to create these fun stitches yourself?

How to Knit Raspberry Stitches

The raspberry stitch pattern is actually quite simple; it comprises only 4 rows.

Row 1: Purl all stitches.

Row 2: Knit 1, *K1, P1, K1 into one stitch**, purl 3 together, repeat from * to 1 stitch from the end, K1.

Row 3: P all stitches.

Row 4: Knit 1, *P3tog, K1, P1, K1 into one stitch, repeat from * to 1 stitch from the end, K1.

** This instruction is very much like knitting into the front and back of one stitch, except you’ll be adding an extra knit stitch at the end. Knit one stitch; without dropping the stitch off the left needle, purl one stitch; and then, still without dropping the stitch off the left needle, knit one stitch. From one stitch, you’ll be creating 3.

Two hints about using this knitting stitch:

1. If you’re using this pattern to knit something flat–for instance, an afghan block, a scarf, a dishcloth–be sure to use a stabilizing border at the top and bottom. For the afghan squares I knitted above, I used simply two rows of garter stitch at the top and bottom. I usually use seed stitch borders, but I didn’t want that bumpy stitch to conflict with the larger bumps of raspberry stitch.
   (You won’t need to worry about a stabilizing border on the left or right, though, unless you simply want a distinct border on those edges.)
2. If you knit stripes, as I did above, you’ll want to switch your colors on the K1/P1/K1 and P3tog rows, rather than on the purl rows. If you change color on the purl rows, your color changes will look rather unsightly. (Don’t ask me how I know this.)

Want to create a knitting stitch catalog and include the raspberry stitch? Get a PDF that will help you do just that here!

Free Patterns Using the Raspberry Knit Stitch

It’s easy enough to use the above raspberry stitch pattern to create flat knitted pieces such as scarves and blanket squares. But sometimes, it’s just plain easier to knit from a full, complete pattern. (Especially when you’re knitting in the round.)

So I’ve tracked down three lovely, free patterns using the raspberry stitch. You can create a cowl, a beanie, and/or fingerless mitts!

Raspberry Merlot: This is a pretty hat pattern that creates stockinette stitch panels combined with a raspberry panel.

Raspberry Cowl: You’ll knit this lovely, cozy cowl flat, then seam the ends.

Raspberry Stitch Mittens: These darling fingerless mitts use the raspberry stitch throughout the “hand” portions, and they’re adorably topped with thumbs featuring a contrasting edge color. (If you’d rather use a thicker yarn, an alternate pattern is linked within this one.)

If you’re ready to take a break from garter or stockinette stitch, I hope you’ll consider giving the raspberry knitting stitch a try!